Punicic acid prevents diet induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Voshol, P., I. Vroegnijk, J. van Diepen, S. van den Berg, I. Westbroek, K. Hiskias, L. Gambelli, R. Hontecillas, J. Bassaganya-Riera, G. Zondag, J. Romijn, and L. Havekes (2011) Punicic acid prevents diet induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice, Washington DC (Abstract #4399).

Immunology & Molecular Medicine Lab, Blacksburg, VA Pomegranate seed oil is concentrated source of a unique fatty acid called punicic acid (PUA). Punicic acid has been shown to protect against diet induced obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, the effects of punicic acid were investigated on high fat diet induced development of obesity with regard to weight gain, fat mass and insulin sensitivity. High-fat diet was used to induce obesity and insulin resistance for 12 weeks with or without 1% punicic acid. Body weight, body composition via DEXA and insulin sensitivity via Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were assessed. PUA intake resulted in a significantly lower body weight, 32 vs. 35 g PUA vs. HFD only respectively (p< 0.05) and lower fat mass, 3.3 ± 2.3 vs. 6.7 ± 2.7 g for PUA and control mice, respectively, p < 0.05. Insulin sensitivity assessment showed that dietary PUA-supplementation improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, 170±% vs 90±% for PUA and control mice respectively, p < 0.05. We conclude that dietary PUA derived from pomegranate seed oil prevents or ameliorates high-fat diet induced obesity and insulin resistance, independent of changes in food intake or energy expenditure in mice.